PS 3511 
.fl722 
R4 
1916 
Copy 1 



REDWING 



Frank S. Farquhar 



REDWING 



By Frank S. Farquhar 



5. 



^A^ 






Copyright 1916 
By Frank S. Farquhar 




a, 



irv^ 



m 141916 



Enterprise Press 
Planada, California 



^CI.A437ai4 



REASON 

The scene of this poem is in the plain coun- 
try of Wyoming, where the foothills sweep 
down from the mountains on the west; where 
the sun ever shines, the wind often blows and 
the ozone of life is in everything. The char- 
acters are not imaginary; they are typical of 
a day long since past, yet living in the songs 
and stories of the West, 

I have always thought the people of the 
plains, in the cattle days, were the real ro- 
manticists of the Nation. The character of 
the men and women of those days, the wild 
life they lived, their customs, their habits, 
their social and civic relations, peculiarly 
adapts them as subjects for the Muse, if the 
genius is found with the poetic fire to in- 
terpret their story. 

I believe there was more poetry than prose 
in the lives of these people, and it needs but 
the Artist to make the discovery. Some day 
he will rise to limn, Homer like, their ro- 
mantic story on unfading canvas. 

In this poem I make a faltering attempt to 
tell a story; an old, old story, in an old, old 
way. I hope it will be read for what it is 
worth as a story, and the mistakes over- 
looked. With these remarks I submit it to 
the reader for consideration. 
August, 1916. The Author. 



REDWI NG 



By Frank S. Farquh&r 



Copyright 1916 by Frank S. Farquhar 



PART ONE 



The mountain air is cool and calm, 
The closing day is fraught with balm, 
And o'er the plain a stillness reigns 
As like the time when evening wanes 
Into the dusk of moonless night 
That falls in summer's solstice bright, 
When earth and sky, and else that go, 
But slowly breathe with brightest glow. 
The stars come out and swing on high — 
A panorama in the sky; 
The milky way — a path of white— 
The heavens turn to prettier sight; 
And darkness, with its spirit spells, 
No evil sign, nor omen, tells; 
While on the broad expanse of land, 
'Mid sedges thick, on banks of sand, 
A hush is felt that savors peace. 
And all that is is in surcease. 



RED 



I I 



Breaks on the night a horse's clang — 
A thudity! thudity! bang! 
A pistol shot rings on the air, 
Disturbs a quiet hour so fair 
That echoes roll and die away. 
Like canon shot at break of day. 
A cry is heard that threads the gloom, 
As if some mortal's met his doom; 
Then quietude, once more again, 
Comes o'er the mountain and the plain. 
Like death in royal cerement 
Where hushes speak in tones lament; 
And spirits rouse, as not before, 
As came they once in old folk lore. 
To dance and play and race about. 
And start to fear a young man's doubt, 
Who slept that night upon the plain 
Where darkness fell and he drew rein. 

I I I 

He roused himself and stared around — 
All he now heard came from the ground, 
Where stamped his horse, tethered to stake, 
To eat and rest till day would break. 
Grave fears at first had held him still 
That cowboy thieves were out to kill; 
Then thoughts of home possessed his mind, 
Remembering still the ties that bind: 
A lady fair, who, in his youth, 
Had told to him the homely truth. 
That heroes brave must have no fear. 



WING 

Nor cry aloud, nor shed a tear. 
But in their souls must be a part 
Of manly stuff that thrills the heart. 
Believing this, he rose amain. 
Saddled his horse, and took the rein, 
Leaped on its back— a knightly lord 
And dashed away to Redwing Ford. 

I V 

The stars gave forth a waning light. 

As youth and horse flew through the night; 

No break there was in that long ride, 

Till they had reached the river. side: 

O'er prairie swell and deep coulee 

The pace was kept like winging bee; 

A softened wind blew in his face, 

As horse's speed went on apace; 

The only sound that came to pass 

Was muffled thud on buffalo grass, 

And clanking gear on side of beast. 

Now dripping wet like new made yeast, 

A lodge stood by a little stream, 

Where stopped he in the morning's gleam. 

"Who is it comes?" came from within 

A lady's voice, low, mild and thin. 

"A friend in haste whom you may need," 

And that is all he had to plead. 



She oped the door lest creaking hinge 
A noise would make to river's fringe, 
Where slept her warders of the night 



RED 



in tented house in lodge's sight. 

Of them she had no fear at least, 

But in that hour of brightening east , 

She feared for him who now arrived — 

After a night of sleep deprived— 

With summons that she knew belied 

His answer at the door applied, 

And they would wake and in surprise 

Act hasty in some wild surmise. 

Inside he went with cautious tread, 

Unbated breath, uncovered head. 

"Your father gone?" he questioned quick. 

"He went last night to the salt lick 

To see that cattle had their feed. 

And give to them their saline need," 

She answered him, then gave a sigh, 

For she now felt that something wry 

Had gone the night ere it was old; 

But what it was remained untold. 

V I 

He wheeled about, and left the lodge; 
The warders, all, he sought to dodge, , 
That they might be their keeper's guard 
Still in the hour by Redwing hard, 
When danger lurked, or doings strange 
Might come to hap on cattle range. 
On horse afresh he took the wind. 
And galloped down the long descend 
That fell away in gentle rolls, 
Like swelling seas the wave unfolds. 
Up Brightwood draw no stranger sight 



WING 5 

Was ever seen of horse in flight: 
Crouched on its mane, as if to spring, 
The rider rocked on living thing, 
With nostrils wide and panting loud. 
Its hoofs a-starting up a cloud 
Of dust that spread, a filmy wing, 
Along the path to Fairmont spring. 
The light of east brought forth its crop 
Of dewless morn to overlap 
The shady pales that crowded on 
The minute hours as they were gone. 

VII 

At Fairmont spring he halted now; 

His horse he watered, mopt his brow. 

Then, glancing round, looked down the draw, 

Up which he came without a haw. 

No living thing in there about 

Was seen to follow in his route, 

Except it be, on farther knoll. 

Some grazing cattle — out a-stroU. 

''Yes, bless my sight! I see a horse!" 

He murmured low, and very hoarse. 

He left the path and took the swell 

Above the spring where sage hens dwell 

In early morn on hunt of food. 

With cheeping bands of their young brood, 

O'er crispy grass that's brown and sere 

Throughout the wold this time of year. 

He gallops on where horse is seen, 

The space soon leaps that lies between. 

And halts to scan the gentle steed 



6 RED 

Ere now at him it would take heed. 
A dappled gray, it was, and lithe 
A horseman's breed to conjure with. 
'Twas saddled, bridled — riderless — 
The youth now craves him to possess, 
If chance sent it by law to him, 
Or he held it ad interim, 

VIII 

But lo! what's this that strikes his eyes, 

To turn his thoughts to vengeful dyes? 

"John Douthet's horse! Well, by my faith! 

Aloom before me like a wraith 

Of ghost of friend, who, parting, goes 

Away beyond all earthly woes. 

Ere time with him had run its course!" 

He sadly said, with much remorse. 

"Old Robin Hood, my master's steed. 

Come now with me for better meed! 

Revenge shall be my jointly trust 

Before my bones shall turn to dust. 

If, as I guess, your master dear 

Now welters on his goreful bier. 

I now shall go in search of him 

Who rode you last from Big Horn's brim, 

And if he is, as I beheve. 

The victim of the gangs that thieve, 

I'll hunt them down and hang them high. 

If in the contest I shall die. 

Come, Robin Hood, 'tis well we met, 

My master's horse should not now fret; 

A nobler beast there never was 



WING ^ 

On hill or plain, or city's buzz, 

Than thou, old Robin Hood, my friend, 

To thee, my trust, my love, doth lend! 

Last night I heard thy master's cry, 

At least I thought I could descry, 

In dreamy sleep, thy master bold 

Letting his blood upon the wold." 

With these words said, the young man went 

Upon the road as he was bent, 

I X 

They struck the course that night before 
The youth had gone to Uouthet's door. 
Retracing 'gain the long plain swells. 
They came anon to Douthet's wells; 
There, lying in his gealded gore, 
The Cattle King — he was no more. 
A ghastly hole was in his brow — 
'*0 perfidy! Vengeance enow!" 
Cried out the youth in that sad hour; 
"My lead shall rain like wintry shower 
On demons mad — the cattle thieves! — 
On you, my lads, shall fall my reaves!" 
On Robin Hood, like sack of grain, 
The dead was borne across the plain 
Unto his lodge at Redwing Ford, 
Where retribution, just reward. 
Was meeted out to all alike, 
Who'er deserved the law's dislike. 
Upon his bier he now was lain — 
His loss on earth was heaven's gain, 
So said they all who knew him well, 
Or in his precinct wrought to dwell. 



RED 



•'John Douthet's dead!" The doleful news, 

That made hard men, with wondrous thews, 

Stand softly by and whisper low. 

And all their evils to forego, 

Abroad now flew on bated breath 

Of Cattle King's untimely death. 

From mountain top to plain afar 

Messengers went within the hour 

The tale to tell to comrades brave 

Of fiendish deed of brothers knave. 

Among the riders who go out, 

The youth of nerve with heart so stout, 

With vengeance pealing in his soul, 

Like palsied bells of direful toll, 

Went on his errand as Indian goes 

Full vent to give to all his woes. 



X I 



At Brushwood ranch, on Little Fork, 
Was Roaring Jim of old New York 
Tom Patrick's pal — a hardy twain. 
Who counted by scores their bad men slain; 
At Licking Spring, on Willow creek. 
Were Deadwood Bob and Lightning Dick, 
A sinful pair, but good of heart, 
Whose trigger touch made many smart; 
At Windy Gap, near Elkhorn Hill, 
Were Reddy Sweet and Punching Bill, 
Who courage had full measure of, 
To which no man could utter scoff; 



WING 

And then there were at Howling Butte 
Such men as Phil and Ike and Knute, 
All brave and true — with liquor out 
But ever ready for a bout; 
Besides a score or more of note. 
Who, in their day, most wildly wrote 
Their records and their treasured fame 
In honor's book — The Cattle Game. 

XII 

Such men as these, as nowhere seen, 

Together met near Halkapeen, 

On Muddy Flats, where osier shade 

A covert deeply for them made. 

Their plans were laid with grim device 

To circumvent thieves in a trice — 

Those bold and lawless mien of shame, 

Devoid of honor's holy claim. 

Bright buckled and booted, with long lasso, 

Full armed and belted, with chaparajo, 

With swaggering loll and fiercely mien, 

And sombreo with tilting lean, 

Each man he stands beside his horse 

Now listing to the venger's course 

To be pursued, and not to fail, 

So soon as they go on the trail. 

XIII 

The youth, 'tis said, who took the field 
First to give notice not to yield 
When trouble came in the man hunt, 
Of his dire vengeance now gave vent. 



10 RED 

His name it is Will Livingood, 

Whose family code was of blue blood. 

In coming west to seek wild life, 

He entered boldly in the strife 

That fills the cup with sterner things 

Than routine life in city brings. 

Deep with emotion of the heart, 

That is a sign of Cupid's dart, 

He formed a vow that, come what might. 

He'd do his duty for the right; 

So here now he, with tricks that's fair, 

Would lead the band to robbers' lair. 

XIV 

When evening came the trail they struck, 

With nothing wrong to run amuck, 

Each man himself in humor glad, 

Like knights of old in armor clad. 

The trail led up a rocky gorge. 

Where Tubal Cain had laid his forge 

To burn the hills and rift the rocks 

For streamlets' flow through canyon locks. 

The night is bright with starlight haze, 

And mystic is the astral maze; 

The vault above bends closely down, 

While rising hills look darkly brown; 

The wind blows softly in the hills, 

But not above the gurgling rills; 

A lone coyote cries in vain 

To wake his mates for forage train; 

The wolf is heard in wild retreat 

For his companions there to meet; 



WING 11 

An owlet in a lonesome tree 
Calls for his mate in dubious glee. 
The darksome way is hard to trace, 
Still light there is for trailers' race, 
As on they go at steadfast rate 
To gain the upper mountain gate 
That leads into the rendezvous 
By deer inhabited and the moose. 

X V 

As night goes on the cowboys list 
Now often to the leader's "hist!" 
Who stops anon to peer ahead 
To catch the robbers in their bed. 
At last the gate to mountain glade 
Is reached before the starlights fade. 
The riders halt and fast their steeds 
In copswood by that's filled with reeds. 
Shadowy forms through woods they fare 
Upon the men who, unaware, 
Sleep soundly in their high corral, 
In dreams a-singing madrigal 
Of boistrous life at Roaring Ranch 
On 'tother side of Big Horn's branch. 
Like death that steals to take his toll 
Of many victims for his goal, 
Steals on the band with stealthy tread 
To crack their foes upon the head, 
Ere they could rise and make defend, 
Or of their errors make amend. 



12 RED 



X V I 

The silence deep is most profound, 
'Tis like the hills in muteness bound; 
No sound is heard, save cautious step, 
And that by those who are adept 
In scouting out the lair of foe 
In mountains of the old Lo Lo. 
Determined they, fool-hardy brave, 
They flaunt the maker of the grave; 
While daring all in mad career 
They think not of the friendly seer. 
Who might some caution to them give, 
Did they but heed and wish to live; 
But fate they tempt with maddened rash, 
And look, therefore, for deadly crash; 
So here this night, near danger call, 
They ready are, with leaden ball. 
To shoot, and shoot to kill, their foe. 
Be it to them great weal or woe. 

XVII 

Now Roaring Jim was on tiptoe, 

And Deadwood Dick could not forego 

A ready finger on his gun 

To put the fugitives on the run; 

With itching nerve Jim breaks ahead 

To rid himself of surplus lead; 

While Snarling Horse and Knute and Pete, 

A trio game in shooting feat, 

Jim's wake they take, in even step, 

To gain the camp where robbers slept; 



WING __13 

But wary foe, with ears alert 
In somnolence-though still inert 
By weary sleep's unfathomed cry, 
They hear approaching enemy nigh. 

XVIII 

They rise and scent the nightly breeze, 
And list the whispering of the trees, 
As talk they do, through lurking wight, 
That tells of evils of the night. 
No light there is, no sound is heard, 
Save cheeping of some sleepless bird. 
Most watchful now they lie in wait 
For what shall be their hourly fate. 
Yet still approach the hunters sly, 
All ready with their battle cry; 
Yet still they list— the hunted gang - 
Of what it w^as the night-bird sang; 
Yet still know not, on either side, 
The lair of one, or venger's tide. 

XI X 

Of all bad men of plain or hill 
Were One Eye Dick and Maverick Bill. 
They courage had— won by their right 
Of living wrong. And they would fight 
At drop of hat; would brook no bluff; 
In every game they entered rough. 
An offspring of a roving blade, 
Bill wandered in fell evil's shade, 
Till life itself was one damn thing 
For him, his gang— the Maverick ring. 



14 RED 

As beasts were chased, he ran his race, 

Without an ounce of saving grace, 

Except it be that of fair play 

In any fray of night or day. 

You now shall see with what transport 

He rallies to his gang's support. 

X X 

Like ghouls at night that steal the dead, 
The hunted cringed for fear of tread 
That might from out the darkness slink 
And snap their lives out in a wink. 
They listen for the crack that's brief, 
And hearken to the pulsing leaf; 
The embers dull, in evening fire. 
Now glimmer out like doleful pyre; 
They hear the sighing of the pines, 
The shadows feel in darker lines; 
But ere their senses catch the signs 
That night gives out, or it defines. 
Close on them come the hunters still, 
And shout in voice that's loud and shrill: 

X X I 

"Give up your guns!" But no reply 
Comes back to them, save bold defy: 
"No man alive shall take us here 
Till he has given all that's dear. 
Or we have sacrificed ourselves 
In dual with the loaded shells!" 
"We've come to take you live or dead, 
Or you send us to hades instead!" 



WING 15 

"Then to it, boys, and do your best, 
Ere on this mount our bones shall rest!" 
Said Maverick Bill, and then he shot, 
But bullet sped past fatal spot. 

XXII 

This signal was the bugle call 
For lightning shots and raining ball. 
Now sharp and quick, from darkness deep, 
The mountain night rose from its sleep: 
The crack and whiz, staccato roar, 
Told every one what was in store 
For hunted men, and hunters wild 
With vengeance dire — it was not mild. 
No pen can now describe the fight 
That hapt upon that peaceful height, 
Where grizzly bear and fierce bobcat 
Fight tame compared to this combat. 
The hunted gang slunk round and round. 
The hunter band moved at a bound; 
Above the sound of sharp report 
A stiffled cry was death's retort; 
A t every crack a body fell. 
The victim of mad tale to tell; 
Piut Maverick Bill still held his ground, 
And shot and shot, round after round; 
And Roaring Jim and Livingood, 
Uncolored still with battle's blood. 
Aimed yet for him who now was left 
Like eagle fights in cornered cleft. 



16 RED 

X X 1 I I 

Uneven thus the sides were matched — 

Fair play was with such games attached, 

As part and parcel of the code, 

According to the alamode 

That still prevailed with men aflame 

In herdmen's wild and fitful game. 

"Fair play, I see, is not in you!" 

Said Maverick Bill, ''There are a few 

Like you yet left; but shoot no more, 

If honor still you have in store. 

And, on this spot, I'll, one by one. 

You manly fight till one is done!" 

The challenge made brought forth reply: 

''Your cause is lost, but your defy 

Accept we shall; so now, brave foe, 

Your hardihood you must here show!" 

The gauntlet thus to each was thrown 

To test the tug on nerve and bone; 

So in the darkness of the glade, 

Round where the robbers' fire was made, 

Fare forth the two: First, Maverick Bill; 

Then, Roaring Jim, to fight to kill. 

XXIV 

Devoid of boxers' matchless skill, 
They go to arms with voiceless thrill. 
As raging beasts, in mortal strength, 
Pair off to do full measure's length. 
The figures of these doughty men 
Still stand a moment brief, and then. 



WING 17 

With tension high, strike blindly hard, 
But each his vital part doth guard, 
And blows fall harmless on their marks. 
As tow to tinder without sparks. 
Then, quick again, each man his blows 
Let fall upon each other's nose, 
As if each has a fist of mail, 
And gives his thrusts like clacking flail. 

XXV 

At first fall hard the thumping jars, 

And blood fiows from the gaping mars, 

Like blood from one whose juglar vein 

Had severed from some awful strain; 

And, breathing hard, still on they fought 

For victory most costly bought. 

But now and then, as combat raged, 

A weakening strike in each presaged 

That vital spots were sorely touched, 

And death himself on each throat clutched. 

Yet Maverick Bill some vantage gained 

O'er Roaring Jim, whose blood was drained: 

Once more he leaped, with force most spent, 

And on his brow a blow he lent 

That bore him down— down in a heap — 

To lie there in his Maker's keep; 

Then, falling back in forest gloom. 

Bad Maverick Bill dropt in a swoon. 



18 RED 



XXVI 

Just then the morn was creeping slow 
From out its bed of eastern glow, 
And o'er the mount it glimmered gray, 
To turn the night to freshening day. 
While Maverick Bill was in his trance. 
Young Livingood saw at a glance 
A dagger, clutched, lay underneath, 
Which, as he fell, came from its sheath. 
Approaching near he stooped to view 
The form of Bill, and then withdrew; 
Securing rope from saddle bow. 
Returned to take his man in tow. 
One round he wound around the man, 
When Bill rose up the scene to scan: 
His dagger went, swift as a dart. 
Into the breast near captor's heart; 
A pistol shot came in a breath. 
And Maverick Bill was put to death. 

X X V I I 

Of all of those that were that night, 
But one remained of cowboys' fight. 
With reasty voice aloud he cried, 
Within the woods no echoes died, 
And no one came to give him aid 
Among the dead in mountain glade. 
Then up he rose and staggered on, 
Ere blood of life would all be gone. 
Before he'd reeled a half a league. 
His legs went down in great fatigue, 



WING 19 

And there he lay like one disposed 

To die before the day had closed. 

Of home he thought and Redwing dear: 

"Could she be told and come up here; 

For her I came on vengeance tide — 

Herself I'd claim to be my bride; 

But no, my time is on me now! 

1 have, at least, fulfilled my vow! 

If die I must, in this lone glen, 

'Tis fitting place for graves of men, 

Who love the wild as I love it, 

Then of my sins God will respite. 

I hear the wolves, as near they draw! 

My blood they '11 drink! my bones they "11 gnaw!" 

And faint and weak, and all but dead, 

He stretched himself on rocky bed. 



PART TWO 



PART TWO 



Next day at noon when Livingood 

Returneth not on Robin Hood, 

Fair Redwing brave, on palfrey gray. 

Went on the road to mountain way. 

She struck the trail that night before 

The cowboy band had took for gore. 

Far up the heights she rode alone, 

Where ringing hoof on rolling stone — 

That sweet and sunny daj^ in May — 

Filled up her heart with thoughts most gay: 

That she was now upon the wing 

On fleetest steed in western ring. 

The plain behind, as she rose up, 

Looked much to her as flattened cup. 

There were the streams, all winding bright, 

And wayward in their golden light; 

Some deep coulees came sweeping down 

From rounded knolls in lighter brown; 

And rolling on, still rolling on, 

Were flat and swell till they were gone 



24 RED 

Into the deeper screens of east, 

Where first comes night for slumber's feast. 

The scene to her was nothing new, 

For oft up here she came to view 

It all with pleasure and with joy, 

Since first she came a girl-cowboy, 

Out in this wild, where nature plain. 

Was all to her a grand refrain. 

I I 

She stopped but once to set her gaze 

Upon the scene that did amaze. 

How oft, she thought, in yonder swell 

The image of her heart did dwell. 

As rode he janty and with grace, 

Most merrily in the cattle chase! 

How noble was his horse and he 

Out in this land so fair and free! 

No braver knight in errantry 

Went forth to woo Dame Fortune's glee 

Than was the youth. Will Livingood, 

When on the back of Robin Hood: 

Behold him now in grand round-up! 

Once more, again, feet in stirrup, 

He gallops round as cattle go. 

He wheels and darts, as swallows row. 

And in and out, in circling droves, 

He rises, falls, as bovine goes 

The day throughout till evening falls, 

And o'er the land the darkness palls! 



WING 25 

I I I 

She sees, once more, his sombrero 

Go flapping in the winds that blow. 

As on the road he gallops down 

From farther place where lay the town, 

To which he'd gone to fetch the mail 

To parcel out along the trail, 

Where homes were few and distance far, 

And every man was on a par. 

Yet still, with love that hath no end, 

She sees him go, as cattle trend, 

With comrades brave to herd the day 

On verdant hills that distant lay; 

While lonely in her home adored 

Awaits him at loved Redwing Ford. 

So, briefly thus, began her dream. 

Till roused to reality by the stream 

That sang below the precipice. 

Where deeply fell the wild abyss. 

I v 

The trail here now wound far around. 
According to the rocks that bound, 
The jutting slopes, in massive heaps, 
That fell and ruse in splendid steeps, 
Up which she rode with spirits high, 
And marking to the grandeur nigh; 
But thought she not that somewhere there. 
Where rock and hill were sear and bare, 
That she would find the one in quest 
Was sleeping on to peaceful rest; 
But, bravely in her throbbing heart, 



26 RED 

She thought him still a leading- part 
Was playing in some sore mishap. 
In which he was in danger wrapt; 
Or else, perhaps, the robbers' trail 
Had led beyond the mountain vale. 
And he had gone with chasing gang 
To pull on rope where foe would hang. 



By lonely ledge at canyon's top 
She reined her horse till it would stop, 
And peered she down the depths below 
To listen to the streamlet's flow. 
What music made the rushing stream 
That glinted there without sunbeam! 
Each gurgling sound, each breath of air. 
Came up to her without fanfare, 
Her soul to fill, and to enchant 
Her, even as the rare rodent 
That whistled from its wild retreat 
Above the ledge at pine tree's feet. 
The winds here gently tossed her hair, 
And kissed her face, and arms so bare; 
An eagle soared the cloudless blue. 
From point to point the thief-bird flew; 
On narrow shelf, where rock was not, 
The wild flower's bloom was nature's lot; 
Way yonder, where the crags were black, 
A speck of white told her, alack, 
The mountain goat there made its home, 
Not free from man, but beasts that roam; 



WING 27 

And yonder where the shadows sweep 
In boundless waves that never sleep. 
She knew the panther and the bear 
Held daily vigil in their lair; 
Above, below, in front, behind. 
There dangers lurked of many kind; 
But fearing not, and loving all. 
She sought for more that would enthrall. 

V I 

Then up the rocky trail she rode 
Where drearer things made their abode. 
At times the path was flinty, hard, 
But strove she on without retard, 
For evening now swept on amain; 
Not long up there could she remain. 
Nor down the path could she late go, 
Else by misstep, and one chance blow 
Of Fate, would send her tumbling down 
O'er cliff, or ledge, or craglet's frown. 
To depths, where dash and foam and roar 
The mountain streams for evermore. 
Enough she had of courage strong 
To fearless go the trail along. 
For love it was that bade her take 
This venture in the cowboys' wake. 

V I 1 

She came at length to mountain glade, 
As evening shadows long were made; 
And in the gloom of sighing pines 
Her heart was drawn to tighter lines, 



28 RED 

For in the copse within the wood 

She heard the neigh of Robin Hood. 

Lo! what means this? A score or more 

Of horses, geared, here as afore, 

Champed on their bits and whinnied low. 

As if sore aid would by them go. 

They, tethered, stood where they were placed 

By possee band that robbers chased; 

Then, pressing on, for meaning sought, 

Soon near she came where death was wrought. 

In ghastly heaps she saw the dead. 

Full lying each as bullets sped. 

horrors on such acts as these! 

O peace! be still! said whispering breeze. 

She thought that men of brawn and nerve 

Should not receive what they deserve. 

If death itself is madly aim 

Of those who play the cattle game. 

The charnel-house, before her spread, 

Filled her with awe and frightful dread; 

The gloom of eve, in stillness steeped, 

Convinced her now how satan reaped. 

v I 1 1 

Profound the silence was that hour, 
No breath of wind stirred mountain bower, 
Nor was there sign that life remained, 
For death alone seemed there enchained. 
Save for the beast that she now strode. 
And waiting beasts which cowboys rode. 
She sat and gazed in horror bound 
Upon the dead strewn on the ground. 



WING 29 

It was enough to strike her still, 
And drive from her her wilding- thrill. 
Of nerve she had in plenty store 
To tide her o'er this dreadful score. 
Within her breast a passion rose 
Like flashing waves a-dashing goes; 
'Twas passion for the one thought slain. 
As pure and white as angel swain. 
A-tremble sat she there a spell, 
While on the scene her eyes did dwell; 
For a moment fear o'ertook her, 
A moment more her sight did blur; 
Then roused she to the mortal view 
To do that which the brave could do. 

I X 

Fiut ere her mind was fully made, 

An omen wild struck lonely glade. 

Adown the wind there came a howl, 

As ominous as the mad dog's scowl. 

She heard it once, then thrice again, 

Then human cry as if in vain. 

"His voice!" she cried, then fared away. 

The wolves to fight and put to bay. 

Once more, again, she heard the cry, 

Resounding round unto the sky. 

Through her it thrilled and made her faint 

To think that he was in distraint, 

Or in distress he sure must be, 

Beyond her help and sympathy. 

Among the trees round went her course. 

As galloped she on little horse. 



30 RED 

Low, faint at first, the cry was heard, 
Clear through the woods the echoes stirred. 
Now she could hear a lone wolf's bark, 
Then dozen more in coming dark. 
Then cry again of human voice, 
Then bark again in wild rejoice. 



With nerves astringe she forged ahead, 
O'er rocky path in mortal dread. 
The horse's hoofs, with clack and clang, 
On winding road their music rang, 
And echoes of the wolf's high bay 
Was music wild that closing day; 
But on she bore in mad pursuit 
Of trouble caused by gnashing brute, 
That loud and fierce gave back its note. 
As if its prey it then would smote. 
No time to spare she knew there was. 
No time to let as sleeper does. 
And naught could hold my lady fair 
From dashing in the wolf's deep lair; 
Yet joy there was in Redwing's heart 
To dare and do a brave soul's part. 
As dashed the horse on sounding line, 
Where man and beasts were in combine. 
Each struggling for self mastery. 
She now could reck her destiny. 

X I 

At edge of glade she was at last; 
She saw the die that Death had cast 



% 



WING 31 

For him she loved, Will Livingood, 

As angry wolves sought his warm blood. 

Around about his broken form 

She saw the brutes in hunger storm. 

Their gnashing teeth and fiery eye 

Predicted where his bones would lie; 

If rescue came not very soon 

His time were set in life's young noon; 

So, seeing how for him lay help, 

She fired away at nearest whelp 

That frothed and barked and licked its chop 

O'er savory meal it soon would lap. 

At crack of gun the pack drew way 

Into the woods where darkness lay. 

Their shining eyes, like spots of gold, 

Now pierced the haze of evening's fold. 

And bark and snarl and rustling feet 

Gave evidence of the brutes' defeat. 

X I I 

"Bravo! Redwing, my angel good. 

Here now I lie from loss of blood! — " 

Says he, like one who sinks away 

Into a sleep in Death's array. 

From oflf her horse Redwing then slipped, 

And from his breast, with dagger, clipped 

The shirt that lay above the wound. 

Which gapped a-red, with blood clot round. 

The blood she stanched, with kerchief clean, 

And gave first aid with tender mien; 

Then on the back of palfrey gray 

She placed his form and him bore way. 



32 RED 

Like one possessed of daring worth, 
Endowed with courage from her birth, 
The mountain down with horse and man 
She went in haste to cowboy clan. 
Unto the gates of Redwing Ford 
She came, at morn, with precious ward. 
There placed him on her feather cot. 
Where low he lay with senses not. 

XIII 

The rising sun through window streams. 

The joy of life in Redwing beams. 

The strangest thrill goes through her soul. 

From off her heart the burdens roll, 

For days of moil sends forth the blood 

Throughout the veins of Livingood, 

And he recovers from his wound. 

Till now, again, he's strong and sound. 

She nursed him through his illness long, 

Which was no trial, bat one sweet song 

For her It did to him so seem 

That life vvi.s one long fancy dream: 

That is, it was, when in the trance, 

That visions wild would round him prance; 

But when the time of reason came. 

It was they played the lover's game. 

In youth's blithe time, when life is sweet. 

It is when youth is wont to greet 

The fullness of that blessed hour. 

When raineth down the golden shower 

Of faith and hope and love eternal, 

Divinely wrought of things supernal. 



WING 33 



X I V 

They talk of love and life itself, 

Of worthy things and earthy pelf, 

Reiterating in meantime 

The things that hapt in changeful rhyme 

In days before, when trouble came. 

That brought the wrong in cattle game. 

Cerulean skies and nectared air 

Foretold to them the life that's fair: 

The furzy top of yuca palm. 

The aspen shaking in the calm, 

The Cottonwood by river's brim, 

The mountain pine, so dark and grim, 

The dancing light upon the plain, 

The prairie dog and straying crane, 

The screeching noise of cicadia, 

The antelope, coyote bay. 

The cacti by the garden gate, 

The daisy head that nods so late. 

And all the thousand things and one, 

Revealed to them the course that's run 

By everything that's animate, 

Which they had thought to contemplate. 

While cooing in a lofty bough, 

Where seraphs sing, as they with thou 

Were wont to sing in tuneful chimes 

In olden, golden, youthful times. 

X V 

No painter's hand e'er touched with grace 
A lovelier form or fairer face 



:U RED 

Than that of Redwing: in her youth; 

She had blue eyes, and all, forsooth. 

That goes to make a lovely maid, 

Reserved and silent, still not staid. 

Discerning light beamed in his eyes; 

He saw in hers the clearest skies: 

There was the light that decks the crown. 

The jessamine without a frown, 

The blue bells merry of the hills, 

The laughter of the many rills, 

While rosebuds on her cheeks were set, 

With dimples sweet as mignonette; 

The morning glory by her door 

No sweeter bloomed for to adore; 

The wind, with rapture, bleweth down 

To paint her face a healthy brown; 

While freedom of the western wild 

Helped make of her a happy child. 

So shy and coy, and yet so brave. 

She was a terror to the knave. 

Who, in that land, had tempt to wrought 

Nefarious deeds evily bought. 

Her part she played with truest trust. 

Herself on others would not thrust. 

But independent as the air, 

A Cattle Queen she was most rare. 

X v I 

Young Livingood her graces saw. 
When first he came a cowboy raw; 
Then deep into a trance he fell. 
Enveloped by fair Cupid's spell. 



WING 

She noted well his gentle birth, 
Said he was not of common earth; 
And what should come of fated twain 
But that together they remain; 
Hence plighted troth they truly made 
Long ere the fight in mountain glade; 
So now from death he'd been recalled, 
And from her heart the things that palled 
Had been removed and cleansed away, 
Once more, again, came brighter day. 
So, therefore, then, as was their meed, 
From sorrow's plight they both were freed, 
And, by the soverign right of love. 
They wooed as would the blitheful dove. 

XVII 

"A chance is life," said Livingood, 
"We're here today, then gone for good. 
But for your help and constancy, 
No more here now would I you see; 
The valley road, o'er which I passed, 
Without you there I'd not compassed; 
Therefore, to me, sweet Redwing brave. 
Your name is dear beyond the grave. 
Your hand I claim, to linger near 
What in this life to me's most dear. 
When shall it be? Your answer give, 
And all my life with you I'll live," 
"So soon," she says, "and father dead 
But two months gone. My heart has bled 
For him and you; yet, after all. 
Why is it we the past recall?" 



36 RED 

"So soon, my dear! Let sorrow's cup 
Be feiled to earth and broken up; 
The past is gone, and tomorrow 
We shall cease to bear a sorrow." 
"Bold optimist! Speak true you may, 
Bat wedded here we both shall stay." 

XVIII 

"Ah, Redwing, that which I most feared 

Was taking you from place endeared. 

Your father's death has changed my view. 

And this it is I'd say to you: 

From here we'll go when wed we are 

On honeymoon to distance far; 

Your herds and lands, and all, in fact. 

Together shall remain intact, 

While yonder, in the city's glare, 

A splendid life we both shall fare." 

"No, no! Not me!" she now exclaims. 

While on her brow a shadow frames; 

"This is the only life I know. 

And from its joys 1 could not go." 

"But listen. Redwing, dear, to me: 

There're splendors there not here to see. 

Out here, you know, that life is rude, 

'Tis fashioned of the things that's crude; 

Society is branded rough, 

The ways of men are low and tough; 

You see not beauty, nor the style. 

The city brings to one the while; 

The women here are not your class, 

They lowly are, and mostly crass; 



WING 37 

You lonely dwell as days go on, 
Not mingling with the cattle throng; 
With no companions of your sex, 
To you the life must surely vex, 

X I X 

"Behold! Redwing! the magic there, 

Where men together dwell and fare: 

In mansions grand they live and die, 

Where life itself 's without a sigh; 

Gay ladies rich and princely men 

Sigh never for the might have been; 

They dress in gowns of purple and gold 

To dazzle in the nightly fold; 

And, sumptuous as they aim to live. 

Their act of mercy is to give 

To him who, lowly in the train, 

A-travels in this life in vain; 

Such feasts were never served so fine, 

And all this west could not combine 

In wealth of bloom, there to be found, 

That scents the air above the ground; 

Though dressed in silks, they are not vain, 

For wealth to them is pleasure's gain; 

The boon of life to them that's given 

Is not of earth but of the heaven; 

The deeds of worth they glorify. 

The evil gods they would defy; 

They scintillate like as the star 

That shines on high in heaven's bower; 

Above, below, and all around, 

Is heard the strains of minstrel sound. 



38 RED 

Come now, you shall, with me, Redwing, 
And listen to the angels sing, 
For sing they do to those who list. 
And from the world make no desist. 
Out here I fain would live with you. 
But brighter life is there to view." 

X X 

"I've heard you through, but will not say 

That what you tell's a brighter way," 

She said; then rose she on the tide, 

As gazed she out the window wide. 

"This place to me is heaven's boon, 

And from its parts I'll not go soon. 

It is my home, no other now 

Shall change my view nor break my vow; 

To it I came, in childhood days. 

To learn the west and keep its ways; 

No prettier spot in all the world 

For me shall ever be unfurled: 

Those mountain peaks, those brooding hills, 

Those silvery streams, and bounding rills. 

Those crags up there, where eagles soar. 

Those avalanches, made to roar. 

Those sunset lights in misty vales. 

That gloomier grow as daylight pales, 

That shadowy something, all unseen. 

Yet full of splendor in between. 

Like heaven's hope, or earthly joy. 

Weigh on the soul without alloy. 



WING 39 

X X I 

"In early morn, the rising sun 
I see begin his daily run, 
And all the lovely things of life. 
Reveal to me there is no strife 
Out in this cheerful world so large, 
If we would each but keep a charge; 
Upon the plain the sun spreads o'er 
A mystic sheen, or something more 
Than life itself creates for us 
From mundane things or atom dust; 
Long in its sweep, and rolling wide, 
A torrean motion, like the tide, 
The plain reels on from east to west, 
Till mountains there it would invest; 
In season's time the flowerlets blow 
Amid the grass with nature's glow; 
A mirage dances on the lea- 
Infinity! Infinity! 
The master knot of life and death 
Is swept away in one swift breath. 
While you and I, in human form, 
Entice the Arts to make reform, 

XXII 

"Romance is here in cheering dress, 
The soul to light, the conscience bless; 
In fancy's wake there is no sigh, 
No cold remorse, no luckless cry; 
Old Ixion, in Time's mad whirl, 
Has sung to man a doleful dirl: 
He's sung his fate in terms to chill — 
'Tis ever downward, down the hill, 



40 RED 

Or up to heights dizzily drear, 

Or sharp and poignant like a spear; 

Yon setting sun in russet clad, 

Foretells to me the morrow's glad; 

That glimmering heat, a dancing wave. 

My feverish brow is wont to lave. 

When, as a child, I came out here, 

I had no thought of worldly fear, 

And I am now as 1 was then, 

My only fear is of the men: 

The beasts are tame, when known aright. 

From man alone they take to flight; 

He chiding goes upon his way 

To marts of men or in his play; 

The four-foot things, in amity. 

Together dwell most peacefully; 

As brothers meet the lynx and fox, 

While bear each greets among the rocks; 

The fleet gazelle on prairie road 

Meets bison bold without a goad; 

The lion's roar on mountain high 

Frights not the deer in passing by; 

But here, with us, man's wisdom burns 

In doing things he often spurns. 

XXIII 

"You ask me how I got my name. 

And now I tell you how it came: 

A fancy name my father gave 

In honor of an Indian brave. 

My mother died when I was young. 

And to this place I have since clung; 



WING 41 

But name is neither here nor there, 
'Tis how you live and how you fare; 
My home this is, I love it dear, 
All that I know of life is here; 
The man I love must live with me 
Close to this boundless desert lea," 
She spoke; then silence stood supreme 
To watch their bonded love demean. 
Upon her face a radiance lent. 
Like stars that grace the firmament, 
A gentle breeze from off the plain 
Disturbed the quiet of the twain; 
It kissed her face and tossed her locks, 
But moved her not from hidden rocks, 

XXIV 

'*0 Redwing, dear, my lovely girl. 
My soul's distract, my head's awhirl: 
No more shall I persuade you go. 
Out here we'll stay where cattle low; 
You set the day without a dread, 
And at that time we shall be wed. 
On Robin Hood and palfrey gray 
To town we'll go that happy day; 
There'll gather there a festal throng 
To shout for joy 'mid pistol song; 
And here with you I shall remain, 
All thoughts astray I shall restrain. 
What say you, dear? Shall it be so? 
Is this the trail that we shall go?" 
"It is," she said, conformably. 
With smiles and tears in unity. 



PART THREE 



PART THREE 



The festal day in town arrives: 

Along the road one now descries 

The clanking gangs of cowboy hosts, 

With shouts, hurrahs, and merry boasts; 

From every corner of the plain 

The men who come are all yet sane; 

In twos and fours, and some in scores, 

They ride along to gay town's doors; 

From far away Old Devil's Hole, 

From nearby ranch on Little Bowl, 

The bands thread in like streaming knights 

Returning from victorious fights. 

Good natured they on capering horse, 

They shout and laugh in wild discourse; 

For in the town of Halkapeen 

The bride and groom soon will be seen, 

Then noisy scenes and doings wild 

Will come to hap — and not be mild. 



46 RED 



I I 

The merchant he gets fresh supplies, 
And freedom's flag from roof top flies, 
Some gaudy banners wave the breeze, 
While ardent zeal rolls as the seas; 
And all saloons replenish stock, 
The jail itself has lost its lock, 
The marshal grim and friendly cop 
At home leave mace and hat-a-top; 
The judge has gone from out the town, 
And all the signs "for hire" are down; 
The mayor stout his office closed, 
As law for men is indisposed; 
And shut is door of every church. 
Lest festival its name besmirch; 
The boys and girls, in western frills, 
Are seen to watch for wild west thrills; 
i<'or mothers old and gentlemen 
Uneasy goes the day, just then, 
As well they know what lies in store 
For Halkapeen ere day is o'er. 

I I I 

By ten a. m. the crowds begin; 
From many points gangs still ride in; 
On corners near they congregate, 
They whoop, they sing, confabulate; 
With jeers and cheers and badinage 
They put to rout some worthy sage. 
Who would subdue their boistrous jest, 
And more serenely time invest; 



WING 47 

But not for those whose levity 
Is founded on rude civilty; 
The day for them was set apart 
To do the things next to their heart. 
In gambling halls the players join 
To filch each other of the coin; 
The contents of the whiskey gill 
Is there for them to drink their fill; 
By all that's fair, or good or bad, 
They seize the bowl that is not sad 
To warm their blood to notches high. 
And throw their cares up to the sky. 

I V 

At Redwing lodge a serious hue 

Is on the time for what is due; 

Still not enough to break the spell 

That indicated all was well. 

On stroke of clock at early hour 

The inmates rise from slumberous bower; 

Prepare they for the happy time, 

An hour for them that is sublime. 

In wedding gown of cov/girl style 

Redwing is dressed; with pleasant smile 

Young Livingood she greets to know 

Wears cowboy togs, so's not to show 

That he is vain in anything, 

Nor ridicule upon him bring. 

He helps her on her palfrey good. 

While mounts he on spry Kobin Hood. 

The pair then fare upon the way 

Ere morn is goldened into day. 



48 RED 

And in their wake, for train's enhance, 
Go all the boys of Redwing ranch. 



'Tis many miles to Halkapeen, 
And on the way the plain's a-sheen 
With bristling warmth, but still a breeze 
Sweeps eastward cool as from the seas. 
Seen by the road are many herds 
Of cattle sleek, and some reed birds 
Rise up and fly in winged parade 
As near approach the cavalcade: . 
Coyotes lone, with silent tread, 
Slink now away to daylight bed; 
While owl and dog, a prairie band. 
Come out their holes and gaze and stand. 
Perhaps to wonder, in their way, 
Why pass this train in calm array; 
And thick in yonder sedgy ways 
The cattle still are wont to graze. 
For know they not the changed aspect 
Of man who rules and is elect; 
From native croft on hill aglow 
Stalk still there stands the bufl:'alo. 
And antelopes stop in surprise 
To look upon this new emprise; 
By river's edge the cottonwoods 
There shiver in their various moods; 
The aspen leaf turns its white side 
As if to greet the coming bride. 
So is the scene on every hand 
As pass they o'er the golden strand. 



WING 49 

V I 

The hours fly by, they come at last 

Near ^ates of town 'mid pistols' blast. 

In lead of van the groom is seen, 

Then shouts go up in Halkapeen; 

And when the bride his rear brings up, 

Fills to the brim the joyful cup; 

The while the shot of pistols ring 

For daughter of the Cattle King. 

Two men ride out for loving twain 

To meet and greet, and then explain 

How program shall be carried out — 

'Tis thus and so, without a doubt. 

As warders now they guide them in 

Midst shout and shot of town's fierce din; 

And, crowding on, they come now soon 

Unto the place of bridal boon. 

No time there is from toilsome ride 

To shake the dust, nor wrinkles hide, 

But the impatience, born of glee, 

Of all the boys must satisfy. 

V I I 

From off her horse Redwing alights, 
And Livingood the crowd delights 
With sally bold: "1 would as lief 
That I were now a cattle thief. 
As in your hands I am to be 
Embarking on the wedding sea." 
"Ne'er mind, my lad, how goes the day, 
'Tis 'nough to say we'll have our way. 



50 RED 

For seldom haps a day like this, 
When cattle boys seek wedded bliss. 
So spake the spokesman of the crowd, 
Who greeted was with cheering loud. 
•'Come off your horse, and do it quick, 
Ere bullets round fall fast and thick!" 
"Commands like that shall meet my heed," 
And off he sprang from prancing steed. 
Then there at once the crowd takes him, 
And Redwing, sweet like cherubim, 
To them, and onward march in haste 
Across the street to "Desert Waste," 
Where congregate the debonairs 
In grand salon away up stairs. 

VIII 

There ladies w^ait upon the bride 

And groom to come, and then, beside. 

The gentlemen — those of some might 

In Halkapeen who big cheques write- 

Stand round the walls, with gestures great. 

On what they now anticipate. 

When work is off and pleasure's on 

They play the part of mild buffoon. 

The ladies talk, the men despair 

Of ever seeing bridal pair; 

They give the jest with ready wit. 

Of saddles talk, and horses' bit; 

From mouth to mouth the challenge flung. 

As bantering's gone since world begun; 

The while lackies, who stage have set, 

Forth draw the coin and want to bet 



WING 51 

That all their fun will be for naught. 
Predicting groom will cometh not. 
They set the cast, and did it well, 
Including, too, the wedding bell, 
Which they had wrought from fell of steer. 
Suspending 'neath the chandeher. • 

Then, too, there is a wreath of sage, 
The emblem of man's arid age, 
And cactus flower, with riband bow. 
The sign that Death works ever slow, 
While printed in red letters bold 
Upon the bell that never tolled: 
''List not to me, my voice is dead, 
Hear but the song of bridal bed!" 
And grimly, decorating all, 
Are pistols, belts, and rifle ball. 

I X 

But hark! What sound is this they hear? 
'Tis wedding march tuned to the cheer. 
Up flight of stairs the banging boot 
Is heard above the brass horn toot; 
Out in the street some pistols ring. 
Which is the song the cowboys sing, 
While from the portals of brothels 
Some actions wild the noise foretells; 
But in salon where audience wait 
There comes a hush elaborate, 
When boistrous march is heard below, 
For then it is that all forego 
Their levity, and "hist" the while 
To cease their jests and merry smile. 



52 RED 

Like wrangling liosts, though joyous all, 
The bridal throng bursts in the hall; 
And then there comes a solemn hush 
As bride and groom are seen a-fiush. 
Adown the aisle the party wends 
As music? palls the scene, and lends 
Its thrills of romance and of joy 
To all the friends there to enjoy. 



But list, whoever now would mark, 

That life is full of care and cark: 

By fancy's dreams we make a wish. 

While sorrows come to us a-rush, 

But intermingled with the scheme 

Are greater lights that brightly gleam. 

But yesterday the bride and groom 

Dark shadows saw above them loom. 

And in the depths of passion's soul 

Were stilled the thoughts that fleetly roll: 

But now, while standing by the door 

That opes to joy for evermore, 

A light is seen, a beacon white, 

That guides their footsteps in the right. 

Within the breast of Redwing dear 

There is no sadness, nor a fear. 

For in the step she's taking now 

Is seen the fullness of her vow; 

And Livingood, as like the man. 

Demeans himself the best he can. 

For well he knows but once there is 

In life's short walk such bliss as his. 



WING 53 



X I 



Comes Justice now and takes his place; 
In front of him, both face to face, 
The couple join their hands in clasp, 
As din comes on the ear to rasp. 
Most solemnly the words are spoken 
Above the noise that is a token 
That jinks are high, were making good, 
In aftermath for Livingood. 
"This wife you take to love and cherish, 
Or on your knees you'll fall and perish," 
To him; and then to her: "This man, 
All else above, you will command, 
And set your heart that you'll obey 
From now until the judgment day." 
"I will," they each to other speak, 
In faltering voice that is but weak. 
A golden ring on Redwing's hand 
The compact seals as still they stand. 
The bride the Justice kisses fair, 
For all a signal who are there. 
In merriment to take their toll 
With blandishments, and then extoU, 

X I I 

But mark the wanton jesters' trick! 
Behold the joke that's done so slick! 
Two watchful men take groom by arm, 
Declare to him they'll do no harm, 
Away conduct him down the stairs, 
Where serious pals meet him in pairs; 



54 RED 

While there lined up in town's main street 
Are cowboy lads he used to greet, 
In massive front, in two lines straight — 
A-horse they are — there's no debate. 
Upon the back of wild cayuse 
He then is lashed with cowhide thews. 
With swiftness great they do the work, 
The horse they goad with stinging quirt. 
It springs, it jumps, and with a bound 
Tempts hard to throw its burden down. 
"All's fair in love and war, 'tis said," 
Was shouted him, as leader fled; 
The while the beast is bucking high, 
And whoops are rising to the sky. 

XIII 

Up lane of men the courser threads. 
Grazed near each side by horses' heads. 
Awhile it goes at breakneck speed, 
It shortly stops — it stops, indeed — 
When up it rears, as if to beg 
That awkward way on hindmost leg; 
Then comes it down with awful thud. 
That jars the victim's marrow blood. 
With freer hands and legs to act. 
The horse the man would ride, in fact, 
F'or never since his first day's tholl 
Did ever horse leave his control; 
As he now is, with freedom roped. 
No man alive had ever coped; 
Unfair it was, though farceful joke, 
To place on him unyielding yoke; 



WING 55 

And more, it was, on bridal day. 

To take from him his meet fair play; 

But neither jester nor the clown 

Could cope with them that day in town; 

And while the rider ran his course 

They whooped and shot at frenzied horse. 

Good natured was young Livingood, 

Saw nothing he to change his mood, 

Into the spirit of the game 

He entered full, with none to blame. 

XIV 

At end of lane, with no outlet. 
No sympathy was there to get. 
Wheels 'bout the horse from vicious prod. 
Retrace its steps with head a-nod, 
And down the way, far forward bent, 
'Mid shots that fell like hail he went. 
About again the cayuse wheels 
At lower end, while rider reels. 
His teeth are set, his face is grim, 
And shakes he now in every limb, 
As bullets sent his nose to touch. 
For danger there was very much. 
His sombrero has lost its crown. 
His hair protrudes — 'tis curly brown; 
And, bellying in the wind, his coat 
Flies off in shreds like fleece from goat; 
By piece and parcel, gearing, all, 
Falls way from horse by speeding ball. 
Meantime is heard the quip and quirk 
From every voice with merry smirk. 



56 RED 

Thrice more agrain the gauntlet's run 
With feverish haste same as begun, 
And all that holds the rider on 
To pony swift is rawhide thong 
That taut remains, untouched by ball, 
With shirt and pants and shoes — that's all. 

X V 

"How like you it? Have you your fill? 
Or should you take another drill? 
'Tis easy, boy, when once 'tis done, 
But never mind, 'tis all for fun;" 
So spoke the leader of the bunch 
All ready waiting for the hunch 
To further enter in the sport 
Of making life the nightmare sort. 
Young Livingood was stanch and brave, 
But self from them he could not save. 
Though weary of his present trial. 
Anon he gave a pleasant smile; 
However, seldom did he speak. 
For he was growing faint and weak. 
Mad plunge of horse, its wild careen. 
Its bucking spells, its devilish spleen. 
To wrest itself from rider bound 
Was more than he could e'er command; 
Yet still he would not now a whit 
Show to the crowd he'd lost his grit. 
"The pleasure's yours, but treat me fair. 
Give me my hands, and all I'll dare!" 
He made reply; but ere his words 
Were uttered forth, like cattle herds 



WING 57 

That stampede go, there oped the lane, 
His horse passed out upon the plain. 
With maddening speed cowboys close in 
Upon his heels with whooping din- 
It was a wild hullabaloo— 
As o'er the plain they fairly flew. 

XVI 

Meanwhile Redwing from window gazed 

Upon the scene greatly amazed, 

While her compeers stood round enthused 

Anent the game their men had choosed 

To play the groom, in pleasure bent, 

'Fore happy pair were homeward sent. 

No venom in her breast displayed, 

Nor vengeance now had she essayed. 

But consternation struck her deep 

As went the horse at bound and leap. 

No horseman such did she e'er see 

Than Livingood with hands set free, 

But when cowboys such pranks rejoice, 

'Tis time, she thought, to change their course. 

When groom was taken from her side, 

She was a sad, despirited bride. 

Though still she thought she would forbear 

An act or word of outward care; 

And when she saw the gauntlet run, 

At first she felt the reckless fun 

Was caper fine; but when the whim 

Beyond the bound of reason's brim 

Was gone, she lost the joy of play. 

And wished she were in the affray; 



58 RED 

Yet modestly she held her thought 

To see what turn the hour would wrought 

For him, the idol of her heart, 

Now undergoing grievous smart. 

X V i 1 

Not long she watched to fix her mind 
What she should do 'gainst those combined 
In deviltry, which they call glee. 
Upon the bounding prairie sea. 
As sport raged on in town's wide street, 
She silent watched from her retreat, 
And when a jocund word was said 
By others near, as cayuse sped 
In antics wild, with victim tossed, 
Remained she patiently engrossed; 
Yet in her heart she felt a pride 
To watch her noble husband ride; 
Though even 'twere beyond his power 
To cope with beast within the hour, 
Assured she was that he's the man 
To weather through the cowboy plan; 
But when the sport was fiercest played 
Her thoughts of rescue were not stayed. 
She proves her nerve and slips away 
To join the crowd in riot play. 

XVIII 

Unseen, unknown (by flimsy mask), 

She passes on to try her task. 

The way through crowd she has made good. 

And finds at last old Robin Hood 



WING 59 

In corral by, without a watch, 
For guard has gone to riding match; 
Provides herselt with long lasso. 
Then on his back she leaps to go, 
Just as wild shouts cut through the air, 
Which omen tells to her unfair 
The game still goes for groom in lane- 
Then spys she them go on the plain. 
A lash and prod she gives her steed, 
Which, lightning like, goes at full speed. 
She dashes down the thoroughfare, 
All heedless of the shout and stare 
Of men and women in the street, 
Who from her way make swift retreat. 
Ahead she sees the racing gang, 
Ahead she hears the pistols bang. 
As on the heels of wild cayuse 
They clatter, clang, and raise the deuce. 
Afar ahead the racing horse 
Is seen to waver in its course, 
While on its mane the victim leans 
To watch the while how brute demeans. 
As courser goes, so goes the crowd. 
Now ever shooting, shouting loud, 
While in their wake speeds Redwing brave 
To take to task the cowboys knave. 

X I X 

A thousand shots, an hundred yells- 
Such earthly sport's no parallels. 
Deep mouthed they roar above the wind, 
And clouds rise up from dusty trend. 



60 RE D 

What is the tend of cabala? 
What is the secret of their play? 
What aim they at in desperate race? 
What is the lay of their wild pace? 
Like frenzied demons on a lark, 
Whose mission played is in the dark, 
They wheel, careen, form out a reel. 
They buck, they leap, turn on their heel. 
The while they keep in mad pursuit 
Of Livingood lashed to the brute. 

X X 

Old Robin Hood is in good trim, 
He's full of ginger and of vim. 
No word she gives to urge him on. 
But goes himself to head of throng. 
With every step he makes good gain- 
That he will win is very plain. 
A freshened sprint brings him abreast, 
Then eyes of cowboys on her rest. 
Surprised they are to note her there, 
Fleet as the wind, but young and fair. 
One glance they give, and recognize 
The bride of groom, their sporting prize. 
"What game is this you have. Redwing? 
What! End to all our sporting bring?" 
So said the leader of the gang, 
As went the pistols with a bang. 
She reins her horse as they slow down. 
In stirrups rise, says with a frown: 
"You men are base, unfair you are! 
Your day's grim pleasure I shall mar! 



WING 21 

1 fain would have you have your joy 
At 'spence of him you would annoy, 
But when you sport like devils take, 
I then would have our friendship break; 
You go your way, mine I shall go, 
And vengeance more I shall forego!" 

X X I 

•* Bravo, my lady fair! You speak 
Like one who on our heads could wreak 
Such vengeance as she choose to heap; 
Know you the danger of your leap? 
But heed my words before you break 
With us, our Redwing brave," he spake; 
"We cowboys all, in amity, 
Wish here to dwell, and courtesy 
Shall be our trust to you alway, 
If to us kindness you will pay. 
If we your feelings now have wronged, 
■Twas not because to you belonged 
Such hurt for it; we take the blame; 
'Tis part and parcel of the game, 
You know full well, to have gay sport, 
When cowboys to thy game resort. 
Admit, we will, this very day. 
Received your husband unfair play; 
But no excuse to you we give, 
'Tis 'nough to say that he will live. 
The cayuse wild is running so, 
To stop it we must use lasso." 
Then lightly up she tossed her head, 
While heatedly these words she said: 



62 RED 

"I brook your acts for sake of peace, 
And bid you all to quit and cease, 
And go the while to Halkapeen, 
There drink your fill and make a scene!" 
"But hold! my lady fair; we say, 
That if you will, a challenge lay 
We at your feet! Get on the go! 
See who is best in lasso throw!" 

XXII 

They knew her skill in this fine art; 

It was the sport next to her heart. 

That instant then her horse she spurred; 

He leaped away! .What dust was stirred! 

Clickity! Like the wind he drove! 

With all his force in race he strove! 

Behind there came a clattering noise; 

It came from horses of the boys! 

Then on they charged without parley. 

And set their reins upon quarry. 

The courser wild afar was seen 

Go racing in the noontime sheen. 

The rider still hung on its back, 

As 'loped it went, or in a rack. 

To finish now the race must come. 

As surely stops the pendulum. 

Redwing is first who cometh near, 

Which brings from boys a deafening cheer; 

But still loath they to miss the chance 

To throw lasso while horses prance. 



WING 63 

XXIII 

The wild cayuse is circled round; 

It tries to throw the rider bound; 

But stick he must, for thongs are taut, 

And ride he must till beast is caught. 

Above the heads of all about 

Throws Redwing lasso long and stout. 

She aims to loop thje wild brute's neck, 

But swerve of it puts aim in check. 

The leader of the gang lets go, 

And wormily flies his lasso; 

Far falls it from the spot 'twas aimed 

By turn of horse, as yet untamed. 

Then others try the trick to do, 

In turn as called, and lassos flew. 

Till air was filled with whistling notes. 

As skill of men was tried by rotes. 

Again came time for Redwing's throw; 

In her long rope made she a bow; 

Then, swinging long, with steady whirl. 

She loosed her grasp for rope's unfurl. , 

It cleaved the air in spiraling loops, 

High circled it, and fell! What whoops! 

On haunches now sat Robin Hood, 

The line was fast, drawn tight and good. 

With rope on neck the cayuse strained; 

Down on its knees it fell — remained. 

XXIV 

"You honors win this day. Redwing! 
In future years of you we'll sing! 



64 REDWING 

Your name shall be not like we knaves. 
But written with immortal braves! 
The feat you've done we envy not, 
For this day's sport was ill begot!" 
So spake the spokesman of the crowd, 
As shots went up with cheering loud. 
"Thank you, my friends, 'tis sweet, indeed, 
To win from you what is my meed. 
Awhile ago my blood did roil 
To see my husband in your moil; 
Though, even yet he stands in faint, 
My breast for you holds there no taint 
Of vengeance dire, nor sore regret; 
What I have won is lawful bet!" • 
She thus retorts to them, "good day!" 
So ends the scene so wild with play. 

XXV 

A cowboy brings her palfrey gray; 

On it she leaps without delay; 

And on the back of Robin Hood 

Is mounted faint young Livingood. 

The gang rides off to Halkapeen, 

To drink and row and make a scene; 

While bride and groom, who thus have scored, 

Hide slowly way to Redwing Ford, 

THE END 



